U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L) and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas share a light moment during a joint press conference in the West Bank city of Ramallah February 7. (Xinhua)

Visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stressed on Monday that it is time for both the Palestinians and Israel to seize "a real chance" to move toward peace. (Xinhua)

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas pose next to Palestinian security guards outside the Muqataa headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah. (AFP)

   RAMALLAH, Feb. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- Visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice stressed on Monday that it is time for both the Palestinians and Israel to seize "a real chance" to move toward peace.

   "It is time to seize the opportunity" to achieve peace in the Middle East, Rice told reporters at a press conference with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.

   Rice said that the United States encourages a strong direct security cooperation and coordination between Israel and the Palestinians.

   She said she proposed to both Israel and the Palestinians that a US security coordinator would be assigned "to help the Palestinians rehabilitate their security apparatuses and observe their performance."

   Rice reiterated the US commitment to playing an active role in the Middle East peace process in order to reinstate the stalled roadmap peace plan, which she described as a "reliable guide."

   The ultimate goal of the peace process is to realize the vision of two states -- Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace, Rice said.

   Washington showed little enthusiasm toward the Mideast peace process in US President George W. Bush's first term. However, Bush has indicated recently that Washington would be more actively involved in promoting peace in the region.

   Rice said her trip to Israel and the West Bank was just to reaffirm that the United States is ready to offer any help.

   On his part, Abbas said an internal agreement on a ceasefire with Israel has been struck between the Palestinian National Authority and militant groups.

   "We have reached a ceasefire deal with all Palestinian factions, because it is not only the desire of the factions to declare a ceasefire, it is also the desire of the Palestinian people to achieve the objective," Abbas said.

   He said the Palestinian side is completely committed to the ceasefire, and "now it is time for the Israeli side to declare a ceasefire with the Palestinians."

   Palestinian militant groups, mainly the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Islamic Jihad (Holy War), said they had agreed with Abbas on a temporary calmness if Israel responds to conditions and demands set by the Palestinians. 

   Rice's visit came one day before a regional four-way summit to be held in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.

   Abbas, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah II will attend the gathering.

   This will be the first meeting between Palestinian and Israeli leaders since the intifada (uprising) broke out in September 2000.

   Both sides have showed willingness to seize the momentum of growing confidence following the death of Yasser Arafat last November. Arafat had been shunned by the United States and Israel, which had accused him of fomenting violence.

   There has been a temporary lull in violence after Abbas, the newly-elected successor to Arafat in the Jan. 9 election, talked with militants on ending anti-Israel attacks.

   The leaders at the summit are tasked with finding ways to turn the respite in violence into a lasting mutual ceasefire. Enditem